Barry County adopts 2025–2029 Parks and Recreation Five-Year Master Plan

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14, 2025, unanimously adopted Resolution #25-04 to approve the 2025–2029 Barry County Parks and Recreation Five-Year Master Plan. Catherine Getty moved for adoption, and Jon Smelker supported the motion; the roll-call vote recorded Ayes from Bassett, Callton, Campbell, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson, Smelker and Teunessen.

The resolution formalizes a multi-year plan developed by the Barry County Parks & Recreation Commission to describe current facilities, identify needs and recommend actions for parks and cultural-recreation assets through 2029. The Parks Commission adopted the plan Nov. 21, 2024, and the board’s resolution notes a public hearing was held Dec. 17, 2024 to allow resident input before final adoption.

Adopting the master plan creates an official reference document for county decision-making about capital improvements, maintenance priorities and grant applications. The resolution directs that the plan be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for any applicable program considerations and funding eligibility.

No formal amendments to the plan were recorded in the minutes of the Jan. 14 meeting. The resolution record signed by County Clerk Sarah VanDenburg certifies adoption on Jan. 14, 2025. Next steps identified in the meeting record include transmitting the adopted plan to the Department of Natural Resources and using the plan as the county’s guide for parks-related project planning and grant submittals.